Minister of Health Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar underscored the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) commitment to provide accessible and comprehensive healthcare services, including individuals with dementia, during the 20th session of the Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting yesterday.
The minister emphasised the importance of early detection and intervention addressing concerns raised by LegCo member Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman regarding dementia prevention, detection, treatment and care.
“Dementia encompasses various types and is typically identified initially by general practitioners or primary healthcare doctors, who would refer the patients to specialised clinics such as neurology, geriatric, or psychiatric clinics,” he said.
The minister also said while treatment for Alzheimer’s disease is available, specific medications for other types of dementia are still being developed. However, he stressed that the focus of dementia care is not only on curing the disease but also on slowing its progression and stabilising patients’ conditions.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham emphasised the role of healthy lifestyle habits, including physical and mental activities such as reading, in reducing dementia symptoms.
He highlighted the connection between dementia and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like stroke, diabetes, and hypertension, emphasising the importance of controlling these conditions to reduce the symptoms of dementia.
“To enhance dementia care and support, the MoH commits to providing health surveillance and training for volunteers to offer advice and services to individuals with dementia, their families as well as caregivers.
Recognising potential gaps in current efforts, the ministry plans to increase collaboration with volunteers and stakeholders to address these challenges,” the minister said.
“The ministry, through the Health Promotion Centre, will collaborate with government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including Demensia Brunei, to raise awareness about dementia and implement intervention programmes and activities to support individuals affected by the condition,” Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham added.
Additionally, activities and roadshows have been organised in collaboration with Demensia Brunei, including dementia screening sessions within the community, nationwide health talks at Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PKWE) and WARGAMAS Association, which have received a positive response from senior citizens, the minister said.
Mass media campaigns through radio and social media platforms have been conducted to raise awareness on dementia. In 2023, an international dementia conference in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) was held in Brunei, with local and international participants sharing their knowledge.
Meanwhile, media briefings and banner distributions were conducted in conjunction with Dementia Day 2023 at government offices, department stores and in the private sector.
“The MoH will continue to enhance collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and dementia associations to promptly address dementia-related issues.
“The MoH has devised both short-term and long-term strategies to address elderly care issues, not limited to dementia alone,” Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham said. – Rokiah Mahmud
